1
|
Foglio E, D'Avorio E, Nieri R, Russo MA, Limana F. Epicardial EMT and cardiac repair: an update. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:219. [PMID: 39026298 PMCID: PMC11264588 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03823-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a pivotal role in both heart development and injury response and involves dynamic cellular changes that are essential for cardiogenesis and myocardial repair. Specifically, epicardial EMT is a crucial process in which epicardial cells lose polarity, migrate into the myocardium, and differentiate into various cardiac cell types during development and repair. Importantly, following EMT, the epicardium becomes a source of paracrine factors that support cardiac growth at the last stages of cardiogenesis and contribute to cardiac remodeling after injury. As such, EMT seems to represent a fundamental step in cardiac repair. Nevertheless, endogenous EMT alone is insufficient to stimulate adequate repair. Redirecting and amplifying epicardial EMT pathways offers promising avenues for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies and treatment approaches for heart disease. In this review, we present a synthesis of recent literature highlighting the significance of epicardial EMT reactivation in adult heart disease patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Foglio
- Technoscience, Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico Pontino, Latina, Italy
| | - Erica D'Avorio
- Dipartimento di Promozione delle Scienze Umane e della Qualità della Vita, San Raffaele University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Nieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Federica Limana
- Dipartimento di Promozione delle Scienze Umane e della Qualità della Vita, San Raffaele University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Laboratorio di Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhou Y, Xu MF, Chen J, Zhang JL, Wang XY, Huang MH, Wei YL, She ZY. Loss-of-function of kinesin-5 KIF11 causes microcephaly, chorioretinopathy, and developmental disorders through chromosome instability and cell cycle arrest. Exp Cell Res 2024; 436:113975. [PMID: 38367657 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.113975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Kinesin motors play a fundamental role in development by controlling intracellular transport, spindle assembly, and microtubule organization. In humans, patients carrying mutations in KIF11 suffer from an autosomal dominant inheritable disease called microcephaly with or without chorioretinopathy, lymphoedema, or mental retardation (MCLMR). While mitotic functions of KIF11 proteins have been well documented in centrosome separation and spindle assembly, cellular mechanisms underlying KIF11 dysfunction and MCLMR remain unclear. In this study, we generate KIF11-inhibition chick and zebrafish models and find that KIF11 inhibition results in microcephaly, chorioretinopathy, and severe developmental defects in vivo. Notably, loss-of-function of KIF11 causes the formation of monopolar spindle and chromosome misalignment, which finally contribute to cell cycle arrest, chromosome instability, and cell death. Our results demonstrate that KIF11 is crucial for spindle assembly, chromosome alignment, and cell cycle progression of progenitor stem cells, indicating a potential link between polyploidy and MCLMR. Our data have revealed that KIF11 inhibition cause microcephaly, chorioretinopathy, and development disorders through the formation of monopolar spindle, polyploid, and cell cycle arrest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China; Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Meng-Fei Xu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China; Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China; Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Jing-Lian Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China; Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Xin-Yao Wang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China; Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Min-Hui Huang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China; Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Ya-Lan Wei
- Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350001, China; College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Zhen-Yu She
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China; Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Carmona R, López-Sánchez C, Garcia-Martinez V, Garcia-López V, Muñoz-Chápuli R, Lozano-Velasco E, Franco D. Novel Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms Governing Embryonic Epicardium Formation. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:440. [PMID: 37998498 PMCID: PMC10672416 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10110440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The embryonic epicardium originates from the proepicardium, an extracardiac primordium constituted by a cluster of mesothelial cells. In early embryos, the embryonic epicardium is characterized by a squamous cell epithelium resting on the myocardium surface. Subsequently, it invades the subepicardial space and thereafter the embryonic myocardium by means of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Within the myocardium, epicardial-derived cells present multilineage potential, later differentiating into smooth muscle cells and contributing both to coronary vasculature and cardiac fibroblasts in the mature heart. Over the last decades, we have progressively increased our understanding of those cellular and molecular mechanisms driving proepicardial/embryonic epicardium formation. This study provides a state-of-the-art review of the transcriptional and emerging post-transcriptional mechanisms involved in the formation and differentiation of the embryonic epicardium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Carmona
- Department of Human Anatomy, Legal Medicine and History of Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain;
| | - Carmen López-Sánchez
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; (C.L.-S.); (V.G.-M.)
| | - Virginio Garcia-Martinez
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; (C.L.-S.); (V.G.-M.)
| | - Virginio Garcia-López
- Department of Medical and Surgical Therapeutics, Pharmacology Area, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain;
| | - Ramón Muñoz-Chápuli
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain;
| | - Estefanía Lozano-Velasco
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain;
| | - Diego Franco
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lozano-Velasco E, Garcia-Padilla C, del Mar Muñoz-Gallardo M, Martinez-Amaro FJ, Caño-Carrillo S, Castillo-Casas JM, Sanchez-Fernandez C, Aranega AE, Franco D. Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Molecular Determinants during Cardiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052839. [PMID: 35269981 PMCID: PMC8911333 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular development is initiated soon after gastrulation as bilateral precardiac mesoderm is progressively symmetrically determined at both sides of the developing embryo. The precardiac mesoderm subsequently fused at the embryonic midline constituting an embryonic linear heart tube. As development progress, the embryonic heart displays the first sign of left-right asymmetric morphology by the invariably rightward looping of the initial heart tube and prospective embryonic ventricular and atrial chambers emerged. As cardiac development progresses, the atrial and ventricular chambers enlarged and distinct left and right compartments emerge as consequence of the formation of the interatrial and interventricular septa, respectively. The last steps of cardiac morphogenesis are represented by the completion of atrial and ventricular septation, resulting in the configuration of a double circuitry with distinct systemic and pulmonary chambers, each of them with distinct inlets and outlets connections. Over the last decade, our understanding of the contribution of multiple growth factor signaling cascades such as Tgf-beta, Bmp and Wnt signaling as well as of transcriptional regulators to cardiac morphogenesis have greatly enlarged. Recently, a novel layer of complexity has emerged with the discovery of non-coding RNAs, particularly microRNAs and lncRNAs. Herein, we provide a state-of-the-art review of the contribution of non-coding RNAs during cardiac development. microRNAs and lncRNAs have been reported to functional modulate all stages of cardiac morphogenesis, spanning from lateral plate mesoderm formation to outflow tract septation, by modulating major growth factor signaling pathways as well as those transcriptional regulators involved in cardiac development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Estefania Lozano-Velasco
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (E.L.-V.); (C.G.-P.); (M.d.M.M.-G.); (F.J.M.-A.); (S.C.-C.); (J.M.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (A.E.A.)
- Fundación Medina, 18007 Granada, Spain
| | - Carlos Garcia-Padilla
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (E.L.-V.); (C.G.-P.); (M.d.M.M.-G.); (F.J.M.-A.); (S.C.-C.); (J.M.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (A.E.A.)
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Zoology, School of Medicine, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Maria del Mar Muñoz-Gallardo
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (E.L.-V.); (C.G.-P.); (M.d.M.M.-G.); (F.J.M.-A.); (S.C.-C.); (J.M.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (A.E.A.)
| | - Francisco Jose Martinez-Amaro
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (E.L.-V.); (C.G.-P.); (M.d.M.M.-G.); (F.J.M.-A.); (S.C.-C.); (J.M.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (A.E.A.)
| | - Sheila Caño-Carrillo
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (E.L.-V.); (C.G.-P.); (M.d.M.M.-G.); (F.J.M.-A.); (S.C.-C.); (J.M.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (A.E.A.)
| | - Juan Manuel Castillo-Casas
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (E.L.-V.); (C.G.-P.); (M.d.M.M.-G.); (F.J.M.-A.); (S.C.-C.); (J.M.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (A.E.A.)
| | - Cristina Sanchez-Fernandez
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (E.L.-V.); (C.G.-P.); (M.d.M.M.-G.); (F.J.M.-A.); (S.C.-C.); (J.M.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (A.E.A.)
- Fundación Medina, 18007 Granada, Spain
| | - Amelia E. Aranega
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (E.L.-V.); (C.G.-P.); (M.d.M.M.-G.); (F.J.M.-A.); (S.C.-C.); (J.M.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (A.E.A.)
- Fundación Medina, 18007 Granada, Spain
| | - Diego Franco
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain; (E.L.-V.); (C.G.-P.); (M.d.M.M.-G.); (F.J.M.-A.); (S.C.-C.); (J.M.C.-C.); (C.S.-F.); (A.E.A.)
- Fundación Medina, 18007 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Garcia-Padilla C, Hernandez-Torres F, Lozano-Velasco E, Dueñas A, Muñoz-Gallardo MDM, Garcia-Valencia IS, Palencia-Vincent L, Aranega A, Franco D. The Role of Bmp- and Fgf Signaling Modulating Mouse Proepicardium Cell Fate. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:757781. [PMID: 35059396 PMCID: PMC8763981 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.757781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bmp and Fgf signaling are widely involved in multiple aspects of embryonic development. More recently non coding RNAs, such as microRNAs have also been reported to play essential roles during embryonic development. We have previously demonstrated that microRNAs, i.e., miR-130, play an essential role modulating Bmp and Fgf signaling during early stages of cardiomyogenesis. More recently, we have also demonstrated that microRNAs are capable of modulating cell fate decision during proepicardial/septum transversum (PE/ST) development, since over-expression of miR-23 blocked while miR-125, miR-146, miR-223 and miR-195 enhanced PE/ST-derived cardiomyogenesis, respectively. Importantly, regulation of these microRNAs is distinct modulated by Bmp2 and Fgf2 administration in chicken. In this study, we aim to dissect the functional role of Bmp and Fgf signaling during mouse PE/ST development, their implication regulating post-transcriptional modulators such as microRNAs and their impact on lineage determination. Mouse PE/ST explants and epicardial/endocardial cell cultures were distinctly administrated Bmp and Fgf family members. qPCR analyses of distinct microRNAs, cardiomyogenic, fibrogenic differentiation markers as well as key elements directly epithelial to mesenchymal transition were evaluated. Our data demonstrate that neither Bmp2/Bmp4 nor Fgf2/Fgf8 signaling is capable of inducing cardiomyogenesis, fibrogenesis or inducing EMT in mouse PE/ST explants, yet deregulation of several microRNAs is observed, in contrast to previous findings in chicken PE/ST. RNAseq analyses in mouse PE/ST and embryonic epicardium identified novel Bmp and Fgf family members that might be involved in such cell fate differences, however, their implication on EMT induction and cardiomyogenic and/or fibrogenic differentiation is limited. Thus our data support the notion of species-specific differences regulating PE/ST cardiomyogenic lineage commitment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Garcia-Padilla
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain.,Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Zoology, School of Medicine, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Francisco Hernandez-Torres
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain.,Fundación Medina, Granada, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Estefania Lozano-Velasco
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain.,Fundación Medina, Granada, Spain
| | - Angel Dueñas
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain
| | | | - Isabel S Garcia-Valencia
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain
| | - Lledó Palencia-Vincent
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain
| | - Amelia Aranega
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain.,Fundación Medina, Granada, Spain
| | - Diego Franco
- Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain.,Fundación Medina, Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
Cardiac development is a complex developmental process that is initiated soon after gastrulation, as two sets of precardiac mesodermal precursors are symmetrically located and subsequently fused at the embryonic midline forming the cardiac straight tube. Thereafter, the cardiac straight tube invariably bends to the right, configuring the first sign of morphological left–right asymmetry and soon thereafter the atrial and ventricular chambers are formed, expanded and progressively septated. As a consequence of all these morphogenetic processes, the fetal heart acquired a four-chambered structure having distinct inlet and outlet connections and a specialized conduction system capable of directing the electrical impulse within the fully formed heart. Over the last decades, our understanding of the morphogenetic, cellular, and molecular pathways involved in cardiac development has exponentially grown. Multiples aspects of the initial discoveries during heart formation has served as guiding tools to understand the etiology of cardiac congenital anomalies and adult cardiac pathology, as well as to enlighten novels approaches to heal the damaged heart. In this review we provide an overview of the complex cellular and molecular pathways driving heart morphogenesis and how those discoveries have provided new roads into the genetic, clinical and therapeutic management of the diseased hearts.
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
The epicardium, the outermost tissue layer that envelops all vertebrate hearts, plays a crucial role in cardiac development and regeneration and has been implicated in potential strategies for cardiac repair. The heterogenous cell population that composes the epicardium originates primarily from a transient embryonic cell cluster known as the proepicardial organ (PE). Characterized by its high cellular plasticity, the epicardium contributes to both heart development and regeneration in two critical ways: as a source of progenitor cells and as a critical signaling hub. Despite this knowledge, there are many unanswered questions in the field of epicardial biology, the resolution of which will advance the understanding of cardiac development and repair. We review current knowledge in cross-species epicardial involvement, specifically in relation to lineage specification and differentiation during cardiac development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingxi Cao
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA
| | - Sierra Duca
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA
| | - Jingli Cao
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Vilches-Moure JG. Embryonic Chicken ( Gallus gallus domesticus) as a Model of Cardiac Biology and Development. Comp Med 2019; 69:184-203. [PMID: 31182184 PMCID: PMC6591676 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-18-000061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the top contributors to morbidity and mortality in the United States. Increasing evidence suggests that many processes, pathways, and programs observed during development and organogenesis are recapitulated in adults in the face of disease. Therefore, a heightened understanding of cardiac development and organogenesis will help increase our understanding of developmental defects and cardiovascular diseases in adults. Chicks have long served as a model system in which to study developmental problems. Detailed descriptions of morphogenesis, low cost, accessibility, ease of manipulation, and the optimization of genetic engineering techniques have made chicks a robust model for studying development and make it a powerful platform for cardiovascular research. This review summarizes the cardiac developmental milestones of embryonic chickens, practical considerations when working with chicken embryos, and techniques available for use in chicks (including tissue chimeras, genetic manipulations, and live imaging). In addition, this article highlights examples that accentuate the utility of the embryonic chicken as model system in which to study cardiac development, particularly epicardial development, and that underscore the importance of how studying development informs our understanding of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José G Vilches-Moure
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Niderla-BieliŃska J, Jankowska-Steifer E, Flaht-Zabost A, Gula G, Czarnowska E, Ratajska A. Proepicardium: Current Understanding of its Structure, Induction, and Fate. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2018; 302:893-903. [PMID: 30421563 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The proepicardium (PE) is a transitory extracardiac embryonic structure which plays a crucial role in cardiac morphogenesis and delivers various cell lineages to the developing heart. The PE arises from the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) and is present in all vertebrate species. During development, mesothelial cells of the PE reach the naked myocardium either as free-floating aggregates in the form of vesicles or via a tissue bridge; subsequently, they attach to the myocardium and, finally, form the third layer of a mature heart-the epicardium. After undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) some of the epicardial cells migrate into the myocardial wall and differentiate into fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and possibly other cell types. Despite many recent findings, the molecular pathways that control not only proepicardial induction and differentiation but also epicardial formation and epicardial cell fate are poorly understood. Knowledge about these events is essential because molecular mechanisms that occur during embryonic development have been shown to be reactivated in pathological conditions, for example, after myocardial infarction, during hypertensive heart disease or other cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, in this review we intended to summarize the current knowledge about PE formation and structure, as well as proepicardial cell fate in animals commonly used as models for studies on heart development. Anat Rec, 302:893-903, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ewa Jankowska-Steifer
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Grzegorz Gula
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.,The Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine (SMM), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Czarnowska
- Department of Pathology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Ratajska
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li J, Miao L, Zhao C, Shaikh Qureshi WM, Shieh D, Guo H, Lu Y, Hu S, Huang A, Zhang L, Cai CL, Wan LQ, Xin H, Vincent P, Singer HA, Zheng Y, Cleaver O, Fan ZC, Wu M. CDC42 is required for epicardial and pro-epicardial development by mediating FGF receptor trafficking to the plasma membrane. Development 2017; 144:1635-1647. [PMID: 28465335 PMCID: PMC5450847 DOI: 10.1242/dev.147173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The epicardium contributes to multiple cardiac lineages and is essential for cardiac development and regeneration. However, the mechanism of epicardium formation is unclear. This study aimed to establish the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the dissociation of pro-epicardial cells (PECs) from the pro-epicardium (PE) and their subsequent translocation to the heart to form the epicardium. We used lineage tracing, conditional deletion, mosaic analysis and ligand stimulation in mice to determine that both villous protrusions and floating cysts contribute to PEC translocation to myocardium in a CDC42-dependent manner. We resolved a controversy by demonstrating that physical contact of the PE with the myocardium constitutes a third mechanism for PEC translocation to myocardium, and observed a fourth mechanism in which PECs migrate along the surface of the inflow tract to reach the ventricles. Epicardial-specific Cdc42 deletion disrupted epicardium formation, and Cdc42 null PECs proliferated less, lost polarity and failed to form villous protrusions and floating cysts. FGF signaling promotes epicardium formation in vivo, and biochemical studies demonstrated that CDC42 is involved in the trafficking of FGF receptors to the cell membrane to regulate epicardium formation. Highlighted article: During epicardial formation in mice, four different mechanisms of pro-epicardial cell translocation to the myocardium can be identified, with CDC42 playing a key role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Lianjie Miao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.,School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | | | - David Shieh
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Hua Guo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Yangyang Lu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Saiyang Hu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Alice Huang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Lu Zhang
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Chen-Leng Cai
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Leo Q Wan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th street, Biotech 2147, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Hongbo Xin
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.,School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Peter Vincent
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Harold A Singer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Yi Zheng
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Ondine Cleaver
- Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Zhen-Chuan Fan
- International Collaborative Research Center for Health Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Mingfu Wu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Calderon D, Bardot E, Dubois N. Probing early heart development to instruct stem cell differentiation strategies. Dev Dyn 2016; 245:1130-1144. [PMID: 27580352 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientists have studied organs and their development for centuries and, along that path, described models and mechanisms explaining the developmental principles of organogenesis. In particular, with respect to the heart, new fundamental discoveries are reported continuously that keep changing the way we think about early cardiac development. These discoveries are driven by the need to answer long-standing questions regarding the origin of the earliest cells specified to the cardiac lineage, the differentiation potential of distinct cardiac progenitor cells, and, very importantly, the molecular mechanisms underlying these specification events. As evidenced by numerous examples, the wealth of developmental knowledge collected over the years has had an invaluable impact on establishing efficient strategies to generate cardiovascular cell types ex vivo, from either pluripotent stem cells or via direct reprogramming approaches. The ability to generate functional cardiovascular cells in an efficient and reliable manner will contribute to therapeutic strategies aimed at alleviating the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease and morbidity. Here we will discuss the recent discoveries in the field of cardiac progenitor biology and their translation to the pluripotent stem cell model to illustrate how developmental concepts have instructed regenerative model systems in the past and promise to do so in the future. Developmental Dynamics 245:1130-1144, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damelys Calderon
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA.,Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA.,Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA
| | - Evan Bardot
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA.,Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA.,Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA
| | - Nicole Dubois
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA.,Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA.,Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Krejci E, Pesevski Z, Nanka O, Sedmera D. Physiological role of FGF signaling in growth and remodeling of developing cardiovascular system. Physiol Res 2016; 65:425-35. [PMID: 27070743 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling plays an important role during embryonic induction and patterning, as well as in modulating proliferative and hypertrophic growth in fetal and adult organs. Hemodynamically induced stretching is a powerful physiological stimulus for embryonic myocyte proliferation. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of FGF2 signaling on growth and vascularization of chick embryonic ventricular wall and its involvement in transmission of mechanical stretch-induced signaling to myocyte growth in vivo. Myocyte proliferation was significantly higher at the 48 h sampling interval in pressure-overloaded hearts. Neither Western blotting, nor immunohistochemistry performed on serial paraffin sections revealed any changes in the amount of myocardial FGF2 at that time point. ELISA showed a significant increase of FGF2 in the serum. Increased amount of FGF2 mRNA in the heart was confirmed by real time PCR. Blocking of FGF signaling by SU5402 led to decreased myocyte proliferation, hemorrhages in the areas of developing vasculature in epicardium and digit tips. FGF2 synthesis is increased in embryonic ventricular cardiomyocytes in response to increased stretch due to pressure overload. Inhibition of FGF signaling impacts also vasculogenesis, pointing to partial functional redundancy in paracrine control of cell proliferation in the developing heart.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Krejci
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
The Wilms' tumor suppressor gene 1 (Wt1) is critically involved in a number of developmental processes in vertebrates, including cell differentiation, control of the epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype, proliferation, and apoptosis. Wt1 proteins act as transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators, in mRNA splicing and in protein-protein interactions. Furthermore, Wt1 is involved in adult tissue homeostasis, kidney function, and cancer. For these reasons, Wt1 function has been extensively studied in a number of animal models to establish its spatiotemporal expression pattern and the developmental fate of the cells expressing this gene. In this chapter, we review the developmental anatomy of Wt1, collecting information about its dynamic expression in mesothelium, kidney, gonads, cardiovascular system, spleen, nervous system, lung, and liver. We also describe the adult expression of Wt1 in kidney podocytes, gonads, mesothelia, visceral adipose tissue, and a small fraction of bone marrow cells. We have reviewed the available animal models for Wt1-expressing cell lineage analysis, including direct Wt1 expression reporters and systems for permanent Wt1 lineage tracing, based on constitutive or inducible Cre recombinase expression under control of a Wt1 promoter. Finally we provide a number of laboratory protocols to be used with these animal models in order to assess reporter expression.
Collapse
|
14
|
Iyer D, Gambardella L, Bernard WG, Serrano F, Mascetti VL, Pedersen RA, Talasila A, Sinha S. Robust derivation of epicardium and its differentiated smooth muscle cell progeny from human pluripotent stem cells. Development 2015; 142:1528-41. [PMID: 25813541 PMCID: PMC4392600 DOI: 10.1242/dev.119271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The epicardium has emerged as a multipotent cardiovascular progenitor source with therapeutic potential for coronary smooth muscle cell, cardiac fibroblast (CF) and cardiomyocyte regeneration, owing to its fundamental role in heart development and its potential ability to initiate myocardial repair in injured adult tissues. Here, we describe a chemically defined method for generating epicardium and epicardium-derived smooth muscle cells (EPI-SMCs) and CFs from human pluripotent stem cells (HPSCs) through an intermediate lateral plate mesoderm (LM) stage. HPSCs were initially differentiated to LM in the presence of FGF2 and high levels of BMP4. The LM was robustly differentiated to an epicardial lineage by activation of WNT, BMP and retinoic acid signalling pathways. HPSC-derived epicardium displayed enhanced expression of epithelial- and epicardium-specific markers, exhibited morphological features comparable with human foetal epicardial explants and engrafted in the subepicardial space in vivo. The in vitro-derived epicardial cells underwent an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition when treated with PDGF-BB and TGFβ1, resulting in vascular SMCs that displayed contractile ability in response to vasoconstrictors. Furthermore, the EPI-SMCs displayed low density lipoprotein uptake and effective lowering of lipoprotein levels upon treatment with statins, similar to primary human coronary artery SMCs. Cumulatively, these findings suggest that HPSC-derived epicardium and EPI-SMCs could serve as important tools for studying human cardiogenesis, and as a platform for vascular disease modelling and drug screening.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/physiology
- Cells, Cultured
- Flow Cytometry
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/physiology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/physiology
- Pericardium/cytology
- Pericardium/metabolism
- Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology
- Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism
- Pluripotent Stem Cells/physiology
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dharini Iyer
- Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, West Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Laure Gambardella
- Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, West Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - William G Bernard
- Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, West Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Felipe Serrano
- Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, West Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Victoria L Mascetti
- Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, West Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Roger A Pedersen
- Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, West Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Amarnath Talasila
- Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, West Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Sanjay Sinha
- Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, West Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Garriock RJ, Mikawa T, Yamaguchi TP. Isolation and culture of mouse proepicardium using serum-free conditions. Methods 2014; 66:365-9. [PMID: 23816793 PMCID: PMC4034734 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2013.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The proepicardium (PE) is an embryonic tissue that gives rise to multipotent vascular progenitors. Most notably the PE gives rise to the epicardium, cardiac fibroblasts, myocardium, and coronary vessels including both vascular smooth muscle and vascular endothelium. Much attention has been given to epicardial-derived cells that show the capacity to differentiate into a wide variety of vascular progenitors including cardiomyocytes. However, it is the PE itself that possesses the greatest potential as a source of multipotent vascular progenitors. We show here a simple method to manually isolate mouse PE at the ninth day of mouse embryonic development and culture highly pure PE tissue in serum-free conditions. This PE culture method allows for the ex vivo analysis of specific growth factors on PE and epicardial development with greater efficiency and precision than existing epicardial culture methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Garriock
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Takashi Mikawa
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Terry P Yamaguchi
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Abstract
The mammalian heart is a highly specialized organ, comprised of many different cell types arising from distinct embryonic progenitor populations during cardiogenesis. Three precursor populations have been identified to contribute to different myocytic and nonmyocytic cell lineages of the heart: cardiogenic mesoderm cells (CMC), the proepicardium (PE), and cardiac neural crest cells (CNCCs). This review will focus on molecular cues necessary for proper induction, expansion, and lineage-specific differentiation of these progenitor populations during cardiac development in vivo. Moreover, we will briefly discuss how the knowledge gained on embryonic heart progenitor biology can be used to develop novel therapeutic strategies for the management of congenital heart disease as well as for improvement of cardiac function in ischemic heart disease.
Collapse
|
17
|
|
18
|
Abstract
The proepicardium is a transient extracardiac embryonic tissue that gives rise to the epicardium and a number of coronary vascular cell lineages. This important extracardiac tissue develops through multiple steps of inductive events, from specification of multiple cell lineages to morphogenesis. This article will review our current understanding of inductive events involved in patterning of the proepicardium precursor field, specification of cell types within the proepicardium, and their extension and attachment to the heart.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisandro Maya-Ramos
- University of California San Francisco, Cardiovascular Research Institute. San Francisco, California 94143, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Nakajima Y, Imanaka-Yoshida K. New insights into the developmental mechanisms of coronary vessels and epicardium. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 303:263-317. [PMID: 23445813 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407697-6.00007-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
During heart development, the epicardium, which originates from the proepicardial organ (PE), is a source of coronary vessels. The PE develops from the posterior visceral mesoderm of the pericardial coelom after stimulation with a combination of weak bone morphogenetic protein and strong fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling. PE-derived cells migrate across the heart surface to form the epicardial sheet, which subsequently seeds multipotent subepicardial mesenchymal cells via epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which is regulated by several signaling pathways including retinoic acid, FGF, sonic hedgehog, Wnt, transforming growth factor-β, and platelet-derived growth factor. Subepicardial endothelial progenitors eventually generate the coronary vascular plexus, which acquires an arterial or venous phenotype, connects with the sinus venosus and aortic sinuses, and then matures through the recruitment of vascular smooth muscle cells under the regulation of complex growth factor signaling pathways. These developmental programs might be activated in the adult heart after injury and play a role in the regeneration/repair of the myocardium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Nakajima
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Van Vliet P, Wu SM, Zaffran S, Pucéat M. Early cardiac development: a view from stem cells to embryos. Cardiovasc Res 2012; 96:352-62. [PMID: 22893679 PMCID: PMC3500045 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvs270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2012] [Revised: 07/24/2012] [Accepted: 08/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
From the 1920s, early cardiac development has been studied in chick and, later, in mouse embryos in order to understand the first cell fate decisions that drive specification and determination of the endocardium, myocardium, and epicardium. More recently, mouse and human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have demonstrated faithful recapitulation of early cardiogenesis and have contributed significantly to this research over the past few decades. Derived almost 15 years ago, human ESCs have provided a unique developmental model for understanding the genetic and epigenetic regulation of early human cardiogenesis. Here, we review the biological concepts underlying cell fate decisions during early cardiogenesis in model organisms and ESCs. We draw upon both pioneering and recent studies and highlight the continued role for in vitro stem cells in cardiac developmental biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Van Vliet
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSD, CA, USA
| | - Sean M. Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stéphane Zaffran
- Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- INSERM UMRS910, Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, France
| | - Michel Pucéat
- INSERM UMR633, Paris Descartes University, Campus Genopole 1, 4, rue Pierre Fontaine, Evry 91058, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial, evolutionarily conserved process that occurs during development and is essential for shaping embryos. Also implicated in cancer, this morphological transition is executed through multiple mechanisms in different contexts, and studies suggest that the molecular programs governing EMT, albeit still enigmatic, are embedded within developmental programs that regulate specification and differentiation. As we review here, knowledge garnered from studies of EMT during gastrulation, neural crest delamination and heart formation have furthered our understanding of tumor progression and metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jormay Lim
- Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, ASTAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Schlueter J, Brand T. Epicardial progenitor cells in cardiac development and regeneration. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2012; 5:641-53. [PMID: 22653801 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-012-9377-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The epicardium forms an epithelial layer on the surface of the heart. It is derived from a cluster of mesothelial cells, which is termed the proepicardium. The proepicardium gives rise not only to the epicardium but also to epicardium-derived cells. These cells populate the myocardial wall and differentiate into smooth muscle cells, fibroblast, and possibly endothelial cells. In this review, the formation of the proepicardium is discussed. Marker genes, suitable to identify these cells in the embryo and in the adult, are introduced. Recent evidence suggests that the PE is made up of distinct cell populations. These cell lineages can be distinguished on the basis of marker gene expression and differ in their differentiation potential. The role of the epicardium as a resource for cardiac stem cells and its importance in cardiac regeneration is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Schlueter
- Harefield Heart Science Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hill End Road, Harefield, Middlesex, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
The epicardium, the tissue layer covering the cardiac muscle (myocardium), develops from the proepicardium, a mass of coelomic progenitors located at the venous pole of the embryonic heart. Proepicardium cells attach to and spread over the myocardium to form the primitive epicardial epithelium. The epicardium subsequently undergoes an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition to give rise to a population of epicardium-derived cells, which in turn invade the heart and progressively differentiate into various cell types, including cells of coronary blood vessels and cardiac interstitial cells. Epicardial cells and epicardium-derived cells signal to the adjacent cardiac muscle in a paracrine fashion, promoting its proliferation and expansion. Recently, high expectations have been raised about the epicardium as a candidate source of cells for the repair of the damaged heart. Because of its developmental importance and therapeutic potential, current research on this topic focuses on the complex signals that control epicardial biology. This review describes the signaling pathways involved in the different stages of epicardial development and discusses the potential of epicardial signals as targets for the development of therapies to repair the diseased heart.
Collapse
|
24
|
|
25
|
Abstract
Abstract
The embryonic heart initially consists of only two cell layers, the endocardium and the myocardium. The epicardium, which forms an epithelial layer on the surface of the heart, is derived from a cluster of mesothelial cells developing at the base of the venous inflow tract of the early embryonic heart. This cell cluster is termed the proepicardium and gives rise not only to the epicardium but also to epicardium-derived cells. These cells populate the myocardial wall and differentiate into smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, while the contribution to the vascular endothelial lineage is uncertain. In this review we will discuss the signaling molecules involved in recruiting mesodermal cells to undergo proepicardium formation and guide these cells to the myocardial surface. Marker genes which are suitable to follow these cells during proepicardium formation and cell migration will be introduced. We will address whether the proepicardium consists of a homogenous cell population or whether different cell lineages are present. Finally the role of the epicardium as a source for cardiac stem cells and its importance in cardiac regeneration, in particular in the zebrafish and mouse model systems is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Schlueter
- 1Harefield Heart Science Centre, National Heart
and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hill End Road, Harefield,
Middlesex, UB9 6JH, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Brand
- 1Harefield Heart Science Centre, National Heart
and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hill End Road, Harefield,
Middlesex, UB9 6JH, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Kruithof BPT, Xu J, Fritz DT, Cabral CS, Gaussin V, Rogers MB. An in vivo map of bone morphogenetic protein 2 post-transcriptional repression in the heart. Genesis 2011; 49:841-50. [PMID: 21504044 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.20757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2011] [Revised: 03/08/2011] [Accepted: 04/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The Bmp2 3'untranslated region (UTR) sequence bears a sequence conserved between mammals and fishes that can post-transcriptionally activate or repress protein synthesis. We developed a map of embryonic cells in the mouse where this potent Bmp2 regulatory sequence functions by using a lacZ reporter transgene with a 3'UTR bearing two loxP sites flanking the ultra-conserved sequence. Cre-recombinase-mediated deletion of the ultra-conserved sequence caused strong ectopic expression in proepicardium, epicardium and epicardium-derived cells (EPDC) and in tissues with known epicardial contributions (coronary vessels and valves). Transient transfections of reporters in the epicardial/mesothelial cell (EMC) line confirmed this repression. Ectopic expression of the recombined transgene also occurred in the aorta, outlet septum, posterior cardiac plexus, cardiac and extracardiac nerves and neural ganglia. Bmp2 is dynamically regulated in the developing heart. 3'UTR-mediated mechanisms that restrain BMP2 synthesis may be relevant to congenital heart and vasculature malformations and to adult diseases involving aberrant BMP2 synthesis.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- 3' Untranslated Regions
- Animals
- Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2/genetics
- Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2/metabolism
- Cell Line
- Conserved Sequence
- Embryo, Mammalian/cytology
- Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism
- Embryo, Mammalian/physiology
- Embryonic Development
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Genes, Reporter
- Heart/embryology
- Heart/innervation
- Heart/physiology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Integrases/metabolism
- Lac Operon
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic/genetics
- Mice, Transgenic/metabolism
- Neurofilament Proteins/genetics
- Neurofilament Proteins/metabolism
- Pericardium/cytology
- Pericardium/embryology
- Pericardium/metabolism
- Pericardium/physiology
- Protein Processing, Post-Translational
- Rats
- Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
- Sequence Deletion
- Transcription, Genetic
- Transfection
- Transgenes
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boudewijn P T Kruithof
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ)-New Jersey Medical School (NJMS), Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Urness LD, Bleyl SB, Wright TJ, Moon AM, Mansour SL. Redundant and dosage sensitive requirements for Fgf3 and Fgf10 in cardiovascular development. Dev Biol 2011; 356:383-97. [PMID: 21664901 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.05.671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2010] [Revised: 05/06/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Heart development requires contributions from, and coordinated signaling interactions between, several cell populations, including splanchnic and pharyngeal mesoderm, postotic neural crest and the proepicardium. Here we report that Fgf3 and Fgf10, which are expressed dynamically in and near these cardiovascular progenitors, have redundant and dosage sensitive requirements in multiple aspects of early murine cardiovascular development. Embryos with Fgf3(-/+);Fgf10(-/-), Fgf3(-/-);Fgf10(-/+) and Fgf3(-/-);Fgf10(-/-) genotypes formed an allelic series of increasing severity with respect to embryonic survival, with double mutants dead by E11.5. Morphologic analysis of embryos with three mutant alleles at E11.5-E13.5 and double mutants at E9.5-E11.0 revealed multiple cardiovascular defects affecting the outflow tract, ventricular septum, atrioventricular cushions, ventricular myocardium, dorsal mesenchymal protrusion, pulmonary arteries, epicardium and fourth pharyngeal arch artery. Assessment of molecular markers in E8.0-E10.5 double mutants revealed abnormalities in each progenitor population, and suggests that Fgf3 and Fgf10 are not required for specification of cardiovascular progenitors, but rather for their normal developmental coordination. These results imply that coding or regulatory mutations in FGF3 or FGF10 could contribute to human congenital heart defects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D Urness
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|